FOUR (2/2)

“I would love to!” Jongin replied with a grin. Sunyoung turn to him with her mouth hanging open. Um, what? This situation was all too strange. Sunyoung just stared as her mom pulled Jongin in, chirpily talking to him while leaving Sunyoung alone outside.

--

Jongin.

“Please, come in, come in!” Boa said cheerfully as she ushered Jongin in to her humble home. Jongin looked around at the quaint living room. It wasn’t tiny, but it was a lot smaller than the living rooms he was used to. Jongin wasn't sure why he agreed to stay for dinner. It's probably because he was sick and tired of always being at the orphanage. And also, Sunyoung's mother was very friendly to him.

“Who is this?” A man’s voice came from out in the garden. An older looking man with tinges of gray hair came in, wearing gardening gloves and holding a shovel in his hand, “Boa-yah, who is this young man?”

Boa came out of the kitchen, carrying trays of the food and said, “It’s Sunyoungie’s boyfriend! Jongin!”

Sunyoung came in at that moment and said, “No, appa. He’s a…” Sunyoung paused. What were they? She looked at Jongin for a little bit before replying, “He’s just a friend.”

Jongin smirked. So they were friends now, huh?

“Hello,” Sunyoung’s dad Kangta said walking in. The man took off the gloves and held out his hand which Jongin respectfully shook.

“Kim Jongin,” Jongin said, “Nice to meet you, sir.”

Kangta let out a jolly laugh before saying, “Pleasure to have you in our home, young lad.”

“Honey!” Boa yelled from the kitchen, “Come help me carry this stuff to the living room. Sunyoung, set up the big dining table!”

Kangta mumbled as he went into the kitchen and Sunyoung pulled out of the table and set it up in front of the tv.

“This is how you guys eat?” Jongin asked, crinkling his nose. Sunyoung rolled her eyes, “Our dining table is too small to eat with guests.”

Kangta and Boa came in and set up the small grill and packets of what looked like raw meat.

“If I knew Sunyoung was bringing a friend,” Boa said, “I would’ve made more food! We bought Sunyoung’s favorite pig skin though!”

Sunyoung immediately brightened up, “Yay! I love that stuff.”

Jongin grimaced, “You like… what?”

Sunyoung grinned at him, “Pig skin. Don’t tell me you haven’t tried this before!”

Jongin shook his head as he whisphered to Sunyoung, “I have never tried such commoner food.”

Sunyoung laughed, “Well, it’s time for you to try something new!”

Jongin gulped as he stared at the pig skin Kangta was cooking on the grill while Boa placed the vegetables and rice in front Jongin.

“Umma!” Sunyoung said, “It’s Jongin’s first time eating pig skin.”

Boa and Kangta looked at Jongin with big eyes, “What?!”

“How have you never tasted this wonderful food that makes your taste buds dance with joy?” Kangta asked incredulously.

“Eat a lot!” Boa said as she placed the meat in front of Jongin. He just stared at the meat, starting to regret ever saying he would stay for dinner.

“Yes, maam,” Jongin said with a forced smile as he reluctantly picked up his chopsticks. Sunyoung just watched him and giggled. She picked one up with her chopsticks, dipped it in the sauce, and plopped it in her mouth.

“Yum!” She said, giving Jongin a mischievous smile. Jongin took a deep breath before putting the meat in his mouth. Three pairs of eyes were staring expectantly at him as he slowly chewed the food in his mouth.

“So…?” Kangta said. Boa continued, “How is it?”

Jongin swallowed the meat and blinked, “Oh. It’s actually pretty good!”

Boa and Kangta laughed.

“Of course it is!” Kangta beamed as he placed more meat on Jongin’s plate, “Eat a lot!”

Jongin nodded and smiled, “Thank you, sir.”

Sunyoung just smiled as she ate her share.

“Honey!” Kangta said, “Let’s bring out some soju! Since we do have a guest, might as well go all out!”

“Only one bottle, though,” Boa chastised as she went into the kitchen to get the soju and shot glasses.

“So, son,” Kangta said, “Where are you from? How do you know our Sunyounggie? What about her do you like? How long have you guys been dating?”

“Appa!” Sunyoung groaned, “For the last time, we’re not dating!”

“I’m from Seoul, sir,” Jongin replied, “I work at the Kai enterprise, although I’m taking a break right now. I’m volunteering at the same orphanage Sunyoung volunteers at so, that’s how we met.”

“Ah, so you’re a working lad!” Kangta said approvingly as Boa came in and placed the drinks down.

“Here, son!” Kangta said as he handed Jongin a shot glass, “Take a drink.”

Jongin gingerly accepted the drink while Kangta lifted his glass, “To Sunyoung’s friend Jongin!”

The dinner carried on with Kangta sharing stories about his glory days when he used to be the star singer at his university and how he courted the dancing queen Boa of his enemy school.

“Ah, those were the good old days!” Kangta said happily, “Wasn’t it, honey?”

Boa smiled, “Yes, yes. Our good old days.”

“Sunyoung-ah!” Kangta said, “I'm feeling jolly. Why don’t you sing for us? Appa hasn’t heard you in a while.”

Sunyoung groaned, “Appa. You hear me sing all the time. I’m getting too old to be your radio.”

“Come on,” Boa goaded, “I’m sure Jongin wants to hear you sing, right?”

Jongin nodded, amused by how Sunyoung gets picked on by her parents.

“I would really love to hear your voice, Sunyoung.” Jongin said with a playful smirk. Sunyoung glared at Jongin while her dad passed her the soju bottle for a mic. She took a deep breath before she started singing HOT’s happiness, “The time came for us to meet. You are in front of me, crying with nervousness. I dried your tears, then I held your hand. I’m going to rise, and give you, whose been with me, happiness!”

Kangta started singing along with his daughter as Boa did as well. They did like some crazy harmonizing thing and Jongin just watched in amazement. Sunyoung had a beautiful voice, no doubt, and there was some weird warm feeling Jongin felt just watching Sunyoung sing a song with her family. Was there something wrong with this family, or was there something wrong with his? Was it normal for most families to be like this? To love each other and sing together? To smile so uncontrolably and genuinely at each other? The song came to an end and Jongin enthusiastically clapped. Sunyoung turned a little pink as she stuffed her face with more pig skin.

“How was it, Jongin?” Kangta asked, “Our Sunyoungie has a beautiful voice, no?”

Sunyoung turned red, “Appa! Stop embarrassing me!”

“Yes, she does!” Jongin said with a smile, “Your whole family does!”

Boa beamed, “Oh, you sure know how to sweet talk.”

Jongin just grinned and Sunyoung shook her head. The dinner slowly came to a close and Jongin got up to leave.

“Thank you for having me over, Mr. and Mrs. Park!” Jongin said, bowing.

“Oh, the pleasure was ours!” Boa said happily. Kangta nodded, “It was nice having another rman around in the house.”

“Do come again anytime!” Boa said. Jongin nodded and smiled as he waved goodbye. Boa nudged Sunyoung to walk him outside so Sunyoung reluctantly followed him. They walked in silence to his car when Jongin abruptly turned around and coughed, “Um. Thanks for having me over.”

Sunyoung nodded, “No, thanks for being so kind to my parents. I know they can get a bit crazy at times, but thanks for putting up with them.”

Jongin smiled fondly, “No, I think… I strangely like your parents. You have a nice family. ”

Sunyoung mirrored his smile as she nodded, “Yeah, I do.”

More silence.

“Well, I’m gonna go back in now,” Sunyoung said, “Drive safely, Jongin! I’ll see you next week.”

Jongin nodded as he got into his car and drove off. He had a lot of fun tonight, which was very odd. Jongin wasn’t expecting this at all.

He couldn’t help but want to come back to that family again.

--

Sunyoung.

Sunyoung happily walked into the orphanage and was greeted by little Jinri who ran up to her.

“Hi Jinri!” Sunyoung said as she picked up the girl, “You’re getting so big now, I can barely hold you!”

Jinri giggled, “I waited for you SunSun! Lookie!”

She held up a ring made out of a single flower, “I made it for you!”

“Wow!” Sunyoung said, “It’s so pretty! Thank you! You want to put it on for me?”

Jinri nodded as she put the flower ring around Sunyoung’s finger.

“It’s beautiful!” Sunyoung said with a large smile. Jinri grinned as she hopped off Sunyoung’s arms and ran back to the playground. Sunyoung followed Jinri outside where all the little kids were running around and playing. Sunyoung stood under a nearby tree and observed the children. Jinri went back to flower picking with Soojung; Baekhyun, Jongdae, Chanyeol, and Amber were running around obnoxiously; Kyungsoo and Tao were playing with a ball; and Sehun… Sehun was with Jongin. Sunyoung squinted her eyes. Sehun was with Jongin and it looked like they were assembling a rocket. Sunyoung rubbed her eyes. Was this real? Jongin was playing with Sehun?

“It’s quite a sight, huh?” Henry said happily as he joined Sunyoung under the tree.

“Are they building a rocket?” Sunyoung asked, amazed. Henry nodded, “I think Jongin felt bad and really thought about what you said. He went to buy the rocket launching kit and look, he’s building it with Sehun now.”

“I haven’t seen Sehun look excited like that in a while,” Sunyoung said. Sehun and Jongin were almost done setting the rocket up and Sehun’s bright smile was definitely noticeable.

“Yeah,” Henry said with a knowing smile, “Jongin is a good kid. Deep inside.”

Sunyoung just nodded as she remembered the dinner they had with her family and now this rocket building with Sehun. She smiled, “Yeah, he is.”

Sehun suddenly ran over to them and went up to Sunyoung.

“SunSun!” Sehun said excitedly, “We’re about to launch the rocket! Come see! You too Uncle Henry!”

Sehun grabbed Sunyoung’s hand and pulled her along to where the little rocket was. All the kids seemed to have stopped their activites and came to spectate the launch.

“Here’s the remote, little guy,” Jongin said as he handed Sehun the remote. Sehun took it excitedly and asked Jongin, “Will it really fly?”

“Well,” Jongin said, scratching his head, “I hope so. If we made it right, it should.”

“Let’s count down everyone!” Henry shouted. Every chimed in as they counted down, “5, 4, 3, 2, 1!”

Sehun pressed the button and the rocket shot up into the air. Everyone cheered including Sehun who looked up brightly at Jongin who just grinned right back. Sehun gave Sunyoung a hug as he said excitedly, “Did you see that Sunsun!??!”

Sunyoung nodded as she patted him on the head, “Yeah, great job, Sehun!”

She looked up and saw Jongin staring at her. Sunyoung was startled for a bit when she saw him smile. A genuine and handsome smile. Her heart did a little flip before she smiled back at him. A/N: Yay, we are making progress in their relationship! WHOO! Hearts are fluttering and wow, he even met her parents! I had a lot of fun making Kangta and Boa her parents. Isn't that totally believeable? LOL. Anyway, thanks for reading. Special thanks to shiny_luna and kyuyoonie for commenting on the last chapter. Please let me know what all ya'll think so I get encouraged to keep writing and kind of see where you guys want the story to go! Until next time!

Ps. I'm going to focus on this for a little bit before going back to my oneshots, so those will take a while before an update.